essentials – Page 6

Beauty Note: Why I Switched to a Foundation Brush—and Why I’ll Never Go Back

Published on July 26, 2018July 26, 2018 by Lee2 Comments

It all started on a routine trip to Target. I can’t help but make a detour through the cosmetics section every time I walk into the store—I swear it’s like a magnet! A small voice in my head convinces me that there’s something new that I need to try. During one of my more recent visits, Target had just remodeled the makeup brush section and I found myself comparing and contrasting every single one. After all, one needed to come home with me and I wanted it to be something I used on a regular basis. That day I became the proud owner of my first Sonia Kashuk foundation brush.

For the past few years I’ve been applying my foundation with a makeup sponge, and for the most part I had no complaints. After all, each application process has its pros and cons. Since I’m the kind of person that likes to test out the latest beauty trends to see what all of the hype is about, my curiosity is what ultimately lead me to the brush aisle at Target that day. I know that using a brush to apply foundation is not a new concept, and I have used makeup brushes before. But it been a while since I used brushes and there have been so many brushes that has been out that I needed to find out has there been a change for myself and I’m so glad I did. Keep scrolling to see why I’ve converted to using makeup brushes…

Why I’m ditching my makeup sponge.

All in all, makeup sponges work great when applying everything from foundation to concealer and even highlighter. After using a damp makeup sponge to apply my foundation for quite some time (I’m talking years), I found myself getting fed up with the lack of consistent coverage it was creating. Did you know that makeup sponges soak up a lot of the product that you’re using? I found that because of this, my makeup was looking blotchy in areas where there was more product and I was running out of foundation faster than I care to admit. Using a makeup sponge was proving to be more wasteful than helpful.

Why I’m sold on foundation brushes.

When it came time to test the makeup sponge against the foundation brush, the results were evident immediately. It cut my application time in half and it left me with polished and airbrushed looking results. The biggest difference for me was how even my skin looked—finally! Foundation brushes give you the option to build up as much coverage as you want, giving you full control of the look you’re wanting to achieve. These were the kind of results I was lacking with a makeup sponge.

After four weeks of using the foundation brush to apply my makeup, I can confidently say that I will not be reverting back to a sponge. If you’ve been curious about what they can do for you, I encourage you to make the switch! Not only will your product last longer, but you’ll be giving yourself an effortless airbrushed look every time you apply foundation. That’s a win win in my book!

Here are a few of my favorite foundation brushes:

What are your thoughts on foundation brushes?

(Let me know your opinion in the comments below!)

5 Summer Beauty Hacks You Need to Know Now

Published on June 20, 2018June 27, 2018 by LeeLeave a comment

Beauty hacks are probably some of my favorite kind — because who doesn’t love a get-gorgeous pro tip and a time-saving, life-made-easier trick rolled into one? Just in time for summer, I put together some of my favorites to get you going and glowing fast.

5. Use Blotting Paper
Keep blotting paper handy for the times when your face is threatening to become an oily mess. Use this to soak up the extra oil by gently dabbing the paper on your face, and follow up with compact powder. Voila! Your face is looking fabulous again.

4. Spray On Facial Mist
When it feels like your face is melting, and the sun is being rather harsh, a facial mist could save the day. Spray generously for some instant freshness!

3. Prevent Those Sunglass Marks
We love our sunnies, but they are notorious for leaving unflattering marks around the nose. Fret not; apply compact powder on the nose pads of the sunglasses, and a little loose powder on the nose… There! An instant fix. Go on, try it. You can thank me later.

2. Make Your Perfume Last Longer
If 10 minutes in the sun has your deodorant giving up, the struggle to smell good gets real. Take some Vaseline, and apply it on your pulse points. Now, spray perfume on these areas to smell good all day.

1. Ouai Dry Shampoo Foam
I don’t know about you but in the summer months my hair could seriously do with a daily shampoo what with the grease and the sweat…I know, nice. But if you don’t want to dry your hair out by over-washing, but also hate the feel of regular dry shampoo in your hair, this foam will become your new BFF.

Rather than filling your hair with powder to soak up excess oil, this foam absorbs oil, product build up and other impurities, leaving behind zero residue. Massage it into your roots just like you would a hair mousse and it will leave you with squeaky clean, dry hair.

7 Beauty Basics That Won’t Break the Bank

Published on June 17, 2018June 27, 2018 by LeeLeave a comment

Want budget-friendly buys that help you look (and feel) like a million bucks? Scope my top picks for under $50, plus my favorite tips and tricks for each.

1. Makeup remover wipes. For a fast face mask, press a wipe onto skin and wear for 3 to 5 minutes. This refreshes and rehydrates skin plus feels especially luxe after a long day at the beach.

2. Coffee grounds. Mix a half-cup of coffee grounds with olive oil to make a natural exfoliating scrub. Rub onto arms and legs in a circular motion before showering, then rinse off for smooth skin.

3. Coconut oil. Deep-condition dry ends with an overnight hair mask. Apply 3 to 5 tablespoons, depending on the length of your hair, and wrap up in a t-shirt while you sleep.

4. Apple cider vinegar. Use apple cider vinegar as a face toner to help support a clear complexion. Simply dilute with 2 parts water and dab onto skin with a cotton ball.

5. Lemon. Slice a lemon in half and “juice it” on your elbow to exfoliate and slough off dead skin cells.

6. Brown sugar. For a smoother smooch, make a simple lip scrub with equal parts brown sugar and coconut oil. Exfoliating your lips also creates a smoother base for lipstick to glide onto.

7. Blotting sheets. Put your best (shine-free) face forward by using blotting sheets wherever you have excess oil. In a pinch, use on your part and along your hairline as a dry shampoo stand-in to keep hair from looking greasy.

HOLD MY DRINK, ANESE IS HERE…

Published on April 13, 2018August 30, 2018 by Lee4 Comments

By now, you know I am a crazy skin care junky. Taking care of my skin is my number one priority within my beauty routine. The less I need to cover up with makeup, the better. You’re probably catching on to the fact that I am also really into natural skincare. Right now my Holy Grail beauty routine is still a work in progress, but I was definitely thrilled with experimenting with Anese.co.

Okay, so here’s how this all started — I was scrolling through the gram looking for some goodies to try out and then it happened. Out the corner of my eye, I spotted Anese page and had to give it a scroll. I saw a product called, “Down With The Thickness ” Collagen Booty Mask and that was it, I had to check out their collection. I headed straight to their site to see if they were 100% cruelty-free. Not only did Anese check that box, but it also checked the natural-derived-ingredients box too. Um, sold.

I immediately started reading about each individual product and quickly filled my cart with what I wanted to try first. It was a difficult decision — between the raving reviews for every single product and the cute sexy clever names, I was as indecisive as a kitty trying to choose whether or not to come into the house. But I finally settled on a few to try out and even got my twin something.

Slay.

Skin perfecting serum.$48.00

The Slay Revive and Glow White Truffle Perfecting Serum is magic in a bottle. Slay targets dry, dull looking skin that needs a healthy boost of moisture and vitamins. Formulated with DMAE, known to tighten and firm with noticeable effects within 20 minutes. Slay is your key to that youthful natural glow.

Beauty Lesson: Okay, in case you’ve never heard of this acronym, DMAE (dimethylaminoethanol) is a substance naturally produced in small amounts in the brain and also found in anchovies and sardines. DMAE supplements are promoted to boost brainpower, improve memory, and slow aging. DMAE helps to tighten skin and reduce sagging, improve firmness and elasticity, smooth lines and wrinkles and also brighten the skin. What’s more, it will enhance the effects of alternative antioxidants and is, therefore, best used in combination with Vitamins A, E, and C or alpha lipoic acid.

Basically, this shit is good for your skin. If used consistently, it can tighten and tone skin from all the ‘methyl donation’. The formula of this serum is a thick, milky texture, which absorbs into the skin nicely, with NO leftover flaky tacky sticky feeling.

Girl Power Mask Duo – Save $5!

Mask $39.00

I usually do a mask like 1-2 times a week, just as a quick pick-me-up for the skin. And although not always 100% necessary, it’s a nice gesture to do for your skin. So be nice to yours and treat it with this something special. This duo is a good place to start, because you get two-for-one, and they both have totally different skin-salving properties.
Pretty Sure I’m Gorgeous is a super hydration charcoal mask that feels more a like a cream on your skin, than drying. It also has the aforementioned DMAE qualities in it so it tones your skin as it moisturizes. A clarifying charcoal creme mask for when your skin and ego needs a boost. Perfect for acne prone and oily skin. Reduces the appearance of large pores and blemishes. Gentle and creamy, quenches skin. Activated charcoal clarifies and removes impurities from your skin, hyaluronic acid, organic olive and jojoba oils act as an ultra hydrator. Antioxidant organic rooibos, spirulina detoxes, DMAE tones. Apply a thick layer to cleansed skin, avoiding eye area. Rinse off after 10-15 minutes. Repeat twice a week. Tone using L’OREAL PARIS HYDRAFRESH TONER.

Unlike harsh exfoliants, So Over It does NOT remove dead skin by scrubbing it off. It gently exfoliates, increasing cell turnover and improves the overall texture of your face.
The result is brighter, cleaner and smoother skin. So Over It can work for all skin types but it is particularly amazing for dry skin.

For when you’re super over dry, flaky patches on your t-zone or you’ve been searching the deep depths of the internet for how to get that dewey fresh radiant look. Look no further, So Over It is going to be your fresh face champion. It is a gentle exfoliant that is made with papaya and pineapple enzymes.
Use 2-3 times per week, apply a thick layer to cleansed skin and scroll through BeautyLeeBar instagram for 15-20 minutes while the enzymes work its magic. Rinse with warm water and follow with the Slay serum.

So Over It, is great after a long day (or week) when you skin needs a little detoxification. This gently exfoliates and adds a smoothness to your complexion. You cans also buy both separately, but you get the better deal with the duo, just saying.

Beauty Tip: Not only does the Papaya Exfoliating Mask removes dead skin and give you that natural fresh radiant glow all year round, but it also helps dematerialize black spots.

Swipe right.

Highlighting moisturizer.$38.00

This illuminating balm is a lightweight cream with a subtle silver sheen and a light floral scent. An illuminating skin balm that leaves a pearlescent shine. Swipe right is made with natural oils that moisturize and nourish skin while leaving a trace of sparkle. Perfect for cheekbones, shoulders and legs. Swipe right offers more than your basic moisturizer.

Swipe right illuminating moisturizer is perfect for those who desires an illuminated effect for a day out at the beach or just general glamness. It Moisturizes, hydrates and softens skin while adding a light highlight.

Beauty Tip: For those who don’t wear makeup, use this product anywhere you would normally do with other highlighters. I usually put it on my nose, cheekbones, collarbones, arms and legs; if I’m showing some skin. My perfect skin secret for this summer is: Swipe Right (highlighter) + Hold my drink (Coconut body scrub). The shimmer is subtle and not overwhelming, so I feel comfortable wearing it regularly. It also is a great moisturizer!

P.S. One of the most enjoyable parts of doing this blog is finding really innovative, cool ass brands and getting to share them with you guys. Brands that you’ve probably never have heard of, and otherwise would have never bought on your own. And guys, remember it is so important to support brands like this who are standing for what they believe in, putting safe products out on the market, and who genuinely care about their customers well-being. If you’re looking for gentle, effective skin care that are cruelty-free, all natural, and organic, then try this brand. Join their #skinsquad here.

Have you tried anything from Anese? Let me know in the comments section below!
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Anese.co is having a sale, so go check them out here.

**FTC: This post is not sponsored. No monetary compensation was received for this post, however products were sent to me. Opinions are 100% my own, of course.